Mixed Success for Basketball on Lanai

Both the Boys and Girls Basketball teams traveled to Lanai last weekend for a series of tightly-matched games and a win for both the Farmers and Lady Farmers. The girls are also prepping to host the MIL Division II Championship tournament this weekend at home.

Girls

In the first of the final two games of the girls’ DII regular season, the Pine Lasses defeated the Lady Farmers 60-41 Friday night. Molokai was led by senior Brooke Keliihoomalu with 18 points and senior Nadia Augustiro had 9 points. Lanai was led by senior Tyana Soberano-Foster with 25 points; Jana Ohashi added 12 points and Kayla Garcia had 9 points.

On Saturday, the Lady Farmers played a much tougher game and sent the game into overtime against the Pine Lasses. After being tied at 36 after regulation, the Lady Farmers (2-6) outscored Lanai (4-4) 7-1 in overtime to win their second game of the season 43-37. Molokai was led by Sidney Rawlins with 15 points and Kaitlin Derouin added 9.

“What a game by both teams!” said Lanai Assistant Coach Christian Yumol.  “After all was said and done, the Lady Farmers kept playing disciplined and we couldn’t take care of the ball and hit our free throws.  It was a solid effort on both sides!  I’ve said this before, [Molokai Coach Lee DeRouin] has a championship program and they are always going to be ready to battle.”

Molokai will host the MIL DII Girls Basketball Tournament this Thursday and Friday at The Barn in Ho`olehua, where Lanai and Molokai will face each other again in the event’s first game Thursday at 7 p.m.

Lanai’s win last Friday secured the second seed in this year’s tournament and Molokai is the third seed. Only three teams are in the league this year, after Hana dropped out. The winner of the Molokai/Lanai game will play Seabury on Friday night at 7 p.m. for the MIL DII Championship.

“The team is very excited and looking forward to the MIL Tournament at the Barn,” said DeRouin. “Our team is starting to come together at the right time and developing that chemistry needed amongst them.”

Boys

On Friday, the Farmers defeated the Pine Lads 69-57, led by junior Kaina Adolpho with 17 points. Junior Shraedon Naeole-Starkey added 14 points with three 3-point shots. Senior Edel Mark Alvarez and junior Keison Poaha-Alcon both had 8 points.

“Our boys moved the ball well and kept their spacing and actually had fun,” said Molokai Head Coach Bob Danner. “It was great to see them enjoy a game and of course playing against Lanai you can count on them coming after you hard on their home court.” 

On Saturday night, it was the Pine Lads’ turn for a victory. After being tied at 22 at halftime, Lanai outscored the Farmers 30-12 in the second half to win 52-34. Lanai improved to 4-4 in league play and is tied for second place with Molokai 4-4 in the Division II regular season. Seabury is alone in first place with an 8-0 record. Lanai was led by John Baltero with 19 points, while Alvarez led Molokai with 10 points.

Lanai head Coach Jimmy Fernandez said Molokai is a tough team.

“The Farmers are so quick and physical with their pass and screen and roll game,” he explained. “We were lucky we could spread our offense out and play on a bigger court and get a win.”

The Farmers will travel to Seabury this weekend for the last two games of the regular season.